Unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles sign: what it means
This blue sign warns that the route ahead is unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles. It is information, not a ban.
What does the unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles sign mean?
Know your traffic signs lists it as “route unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles”, and says the words may be changed for other types of vehicle.
A ban on lorries would be a red ring, such as the no goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes sign.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- Lorries over the weight shown must not go in.
- A dead end for vehicles.
- The road is not suitable for lorries.
Show answer
C. The road is not suitable for lorries. It warns that the route is unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles (Know your traffic signs). Source: Know your traffic signs: information signs, GOV.UK; Know your traffic signs: regulatory signs, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Where will you see it?
At the entrance to narrow lanes, steep roads and village streets.
What should you do?
In a lorry, take another route. In a car, expect a narrow or difficult road ahead.
What do people get wrong?
Mixing it up with a weight limit. A blue rectangle informs; a red ring gives the order.
Common questions
Is it illegal for a lorry to go past this sign?
This sign is information. A legal ban is shown by a red ring, such as a weight or width limit sign.
Are there other versions?
Yes. Know your traffic signs says the legend may name other vehicles, such as caravans or wide vehicles.
Compare with
No goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes signLorries over the weight shown must not go in.
No through road signA dead end for vehicles.
Want to test someone else? Play a road-sign quiz with friends and family.
Sources
Checked on 4 November 2026 against Know your traffic signs (information signs; regulatory signs).
- Know your traffic signs: information signs, GOV.UK
- Know your traffic signs: regulatory signs, GOV.UK
- Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Traffic sign images are Crown copyright, from the Department for Transport. Sources and image credits.